UW-L Wins Record Setting Eleventh Straight WIAC Title; Palmer, Chelf and Malecek Honored

For Immediate Release: Sunday, February 24, 2008

Appleton, Wis. – The UW-La Crosse wrestling team captured its league-record 11 th straight WIAC Championship Sunday at Appleton West High School. The conference meet was hosted by Lawrence University.

The Eagles totaled 147.5 team points to win their 12 th conference title in school, matching UW-Whitewater for the most in league history. UW-Stevens Point finished second Sunday with 131.5 points followed by UW-Whitewater (111.5), UW-Platteville (86.0), UW-Eau Claire (82.5), Lawrence (43.5) and UW-Oshkosh (42.5).

UW-L claimed seven individual champions Sunday. Brandon Music captured the 125-pound title with a win by fall (5:58) over defending WIAC champion Jake Calhoun of UW-Stevens Point. The Eagles’ Jordan Kolinski became the first wrestler in conference history to win back-to-back crowns at 133-pounds as he defeated UW-Stevens Point’s Jered Kern by decision (9-5).

Matt Mauseth earned a win by decision (3-2) over UW-Platteville’s Ryan Higgins at 141-pounds for UW-L.

The Eagles’ Tim Palmer won his second straight league title at 165-pounds Sunday as he defeated Pat Nagel of UW-Whitewater by decision (9-3) and Josh Chelf picked up his third consecutive championship at 174-pounds as he defeated UW-Stevens Point’s Eric Bath by decision (6-0). Chelf became the second wrestler in league history to win three straight 174-pound crowns joining Cody Koenig of UW-Stevens Point (2003-05).

Palmer and Chelf were named the John Peterson Co-Wrestlers of the Meet while Chelf was also selected the WIAC Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete.

UW-L’s Josh Zabel defeated UW-Stevens Point’s Ben Engelland by decision (8-2) to win the 184-pound crown while the Eagles’ Dan Laurent won his second straight title at 285-pounds with a win by fall (2:52) over the Pointers’ Chad Gregory.

All seven winners advance to the NCAA III Championships.

The Eagles’ Jay Milz received one of nine at-large selections to the national meet after placing second at 157-pounds. Milz lost by decision (4-3) to UW-Platteville’s Jesse Milks.

UW-L’s Kevin Barber (141-pounds) and Tim Winker (197) both finished fourth Sunday.

UW-L head coach Dave Malecek was voted the Mertz Mortorelli Coach of the Year for the second straight season.

The Eagles return to action Friday, March 7 at the NCAA III Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.